I bought a chain and some finned covers from him last fall, and shipping was bullet-fast. He was brusque on the phone, as ever, and simply doesn't DO email well. Ken at Cyclexchange is much the same way- if you want to talk to the man, TALK to him, don't email him.
OTOH, a friend wanted to get a new chain from Brian, and for whatever reason, Brian acted the total @$$ with him, acted as though he didn't care if he got the business or not. Maybe he's getting burned out, I don't know...